Rovers 0 SFC Manchester Redgate 4 09/09/18

09/09/2018
Match Report
Sunday Team

Bad day at the office.

A bad day at the office for Rovers as they came out 4-0 losers against a very good RV side. Rovers went into the game with a high from the good result from the previous week, but from the start we didn't get into the game at all!!

RV stopped us from settling on the ball, there was no time or space in the middle. RV created a few chances and there first goal came from a corner. Ball was headed back across the goal and the striker alone in the middle headed into the bottom corner.

The 2nd goal came from a mistake on the right side of the pitch in our own half. The ball broke to RV how played it down the right and then crossed it over to the left side of the edge of the box the striker took the shot, Rick made the save but the other was pushed out into the on coming player to strike it in.

Their 3rd was a ball played over the top and the striker ran on to the ball with Rick coming to the edge of the box making a one on one save as it seemed, but the Ref gave penalty saying it was a late 2 foot tackle. The RV player player stepped up and put spot kick to the right corner.

The fourth was disputed free kick given away by Nathan on a tackle on RV striker (which it was not).There player stepped up and curled around the wall at the near post, Rick got a hand to but no chance of keeping it out.

HT came and the team looked shell shocked!

In truth, Rovers were lucky to stay in the game for much of the first half and can thank goalkeeper Ricci for some decent saves from set pieces. It was mainly set pieces and cheap mistakes in midfield that were Rovers’ downfall, with 3 of the 4 goals coming as a result of set pieces.

During the half time team talk, G said we need to dig in deep win the second half and don't give them time on the ball...

Rovers improved in the second half defensively and RV rarely looked like scoring. Unfortunately, neither did Rovers who failed to register a shot on target in either half.

Heart can be taken from the second half performance and this game certainly serves as a wake up call for Rovers who have another tough test next week against Manchester Maccabi.